#crow scratch

     “Ah yes, I almost forgot that not everyone is as fortunate as I.” He remarked as Logan rolled his eyes. Roman Rodford had been born to a rather wealthy family, while Logan Ackroyd and Dee Thoreau had clawed and fought for their place in the world. This meant that he typically forgot that the other two weren’t able to do the same things that he could do in a blink of an eye. To make matters worse, Dee would often agree to Roman’s harebrained, extravagant, and expensive schemes while counting entirely on Logan to shut them down in time before any money or time was actually spent. 

     ‘It wouldn’t have been very hard for him to get to where he is now even without his father’s help’ Logan thought. Roman’s good looks had often made him the talk of the town amongst most of the ladies and one knew that it didn’t take much more than that to find opportunities at one’s doorstep. In fact, that was exactly how Dee had gotten his golden ticket out of the gutters. Logan, on the other hand, was not found similarily appealing by the wealthy women of Wellshire. While Roman’s broad yet soft looks had the ladies swooning and Dee’s sharp wit and charisma proved him intriguing, the women of their town’s upper crust deemed Logan respectable and to be trusted, but emotionless and unappealing.

     “—chartreuse looks hideous on you. Red is too bold but baby blue too demure.” Logan drifted back into reality as Roman continued to babble on about coat colors. 

     “Roman. This is futile.” Roman whipped around to stare at Logan with a look that was as hurt as a baby tied to a cowcatcher during a train wreck. Logan blinked that image out of his mind. Perhaps he had been spending too much time around Roman’s brother. “I haven’t found a single coat that I can remotely deem suitable for public engagement. This is a never ending, impossible task. I am sure you two will manage fine at the party without me.” He looked towards Dee for the inevitable affirmation his best friend, who knew how much he detested social outings, would definitely provide to help him convince Roman to leave him alone at home. 

     Dee simply threw another suit at him. 

     “This one,” Dee said sharply. Logan shot him an unappreciative glare and reluctantly held up the new suit and inhaled sharply. The jacket was a brilliant deep blue that was nearing on black. The waistcoat was a lighter shade of indigo, reminiscent of sapphires with climbing swirls of silver throughout the front. Logan hesitantly tried it on. It was— 

     —perfect. Just perfect. Logan’s typical hiding spot behind the Rodford brothers’ lavish curtains had been taken. The perfect thing about that spot was that it hid the person from view almost completely while providing ample space for one to sit on the window seat. Unfortunately, Logan had not realized the seat was taken before he had briskly whisked the curtains to the side. 

     “Why, hello there.” said the stranger. 

     “Greetings. You’re in my seat.” 

     “Ah. My condolences.” The stranger replied; not making a single move to get up. A few seconds of silence stood between the two. 

     “May I have it back?” Logan impatiently asked. The stranger looked at Logan with total apathy in his eyes. 

     “Hmmm” He tapped a finger to his chin. “Let me think about it.” He screwed up his face in mock thought. “I don’t think so, no. Why don’t you go and enjoy the revel instead? I heard that the pool table was missing a cue. Maybe they can use the one stuck up your—”

     “—arse! He’s a pain in the arse I’m telling you!” Logan angrily shouted. The trio were sharing stories of the previous night at the party. Dee looked on with a bemused expression as his typically stoic friend ranted in a furious frenzy. 

     “Do you mean the Maitland boy?” Roman asked. “That’s rather amusing actually!” Logan’s head whipped around, his face contorted in confusion. 

     “What? What part of his deriding of societal etiquette could possibly be defined as ‘amusing’?” 

     “I would have rather thought you two would have quite compatible,” Roman said with a cheeky grin. “He’s a studious book addict like you and his wit and knowledge were commended all night by my brother and the guests, though my dear brother couldn’t figure out where he was.” 

     “That’s because,” Logan spat through gritted teeth. “He was busy consecrating social graces.” 

     “Oh come now, Logan! All this animosity because some fellow happened to get to your seat before you did? I’m sure his intentions were pure.” 

     “I- What? Have you listened to a word I said? I need revenge! I need a reprisal!” 

     “Well, I did hear that ol’ Patton Valentine is holding a leviathan bash this Sunday.” piped Dee from the corner. 

     “Ah, I knew I could always count on Pat to come through in a pinch!” Roman whirled around a fuming Logan to his large walk-in closet. “Now the only question is, whatever to wear?” 

     “Oh, and it’s a masquerade,” Dee interjected. 

at first i disn't like her cause her similarities with kris were incredibly off putting, (as im sure it was meant to be). as if this was an "idealized" and simplified memory of kris. a caricature. i really wondered how they felt about it. but after a bit she warmed up to me she's so silly and i love her i hope she has fun forever